Wednesday, February 28, 2007

Well did the set get to go over sixty minutes? Jury's still out on that one. Here's the set-list:

All Nite Disco PartyHi How Are YouMargaheritaHold Me In The RiverIf I Should Die TonightPick Up The PhoneI Can't Stand To Stand Beside YouCheney x 2The Beatific VisionsWe Saw Jerry's DaughterHeard About Your BandOn Your SideCease & DesistPorcupine or Pineapple?What's In It For Me?Spring ChickenNY PieThe Most FunRing A Ding DingComma Comma Comma Full Stop- encores -No ReturnJacksonHuevos Rancheros

Fun as ever but felt it lacked a bit of (audience?) spark and a bit of volume. Highlight was 'What's In It For Me' which I thought was stand-out track of the night - felt all four were really getting into it, loads of energy behind it. Another highlight was the cover of Camper Van Beethoven's 'We Saw Jenny's Daughter'. Can't really go wrong with this if you stay faithful to it and they did. Matt the merchandise guy joined the band for 'The Most Fun'. They claimed 'No Return' was first time ever live? And Alex the drummer wore a Proclaimers T-shirt.

But more importantly, we came home with The Pineapple thrown by Tom the guitarist into the audience!

Second time I've seen Absentee now. And it doesn't get better. They aim for cool-and-laid-back, playing indie-country-rock but just strike me as bland and unoriginal. Bobby Cook on the other hand showed huge promise. Only caught the last two songs but distinctly Postcard Records c.1980 in sound (jangle) and look (floppy fringed singer and checked shirts all round). Nothing on sale at merchandise stall - but must find out more. Any info gratefully received.

'Loneliness Shines' was a request (skipping over the request for 'Cold Winter'). 'Total Belief' is a new song "which will probably be on the next album". It was jaw-droppingly brilliant and should be rush released as a single now I say.

Malcolm (again uncomfortably) signed some stuff.

And I got a freebie balloon to take home too.

Tour dates here. Malcolm and band play Manchester's Life Cafe on 22 March. Tickets here.

Monday, February 26, 2007

You know how it is. For a work meeting, you pop out for coffee. And then someone suggests a record shop that happens to serve coffee. You concentrate very hard during the meeting but can't help wondering what that song is they are playing. After the meeting you ask - purely out of curiosity of course - who it was. Next the person behind the counter is showing you the cover. And before you know it you are shelling out on a new CD - all as part of work.

Monday, February 05, 2007

Tonight's gig was their third time in Manchester; my first time seeing them. And it was great.

I expected them to be bookish and serious but quite the opposite. Colin Meloy was clearly the front person without being egotistical, clearly enjoyed 'performing' but was never hammy; the band were accomplished but not dull; and although they never 'rocked out' they played with energy and genuine passion. One of those gigs were you feel you know a band better for having seem them live.

DISCLAIMER

New music posted here has been cleared by band/label or has been made generally available. Any other mp3s are purely for evaluation purposes. If you like what you hear buy the real thing, direct from the artists or their label where you can.